Liquid-crystalline medium

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises at least one compound of the formula I, 
                         
in which
 
R 1 , R 1 *, L 1 , L 2  and L 3  have the meanings indicated in Claim  1,  
 
and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the VA, PSA, PS-VA, PA-VA, PALC, FFS, PS-FFS, IPS or PS-IPS effect. The invention furthermore also relates to compounds of the formula I.

The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises at least one compound of the formula I,

in which

-   R¹ and R¹* each, independently of one another, denote an alkyl or     alkoxy radical having 1 to 15 C atoms, where, in addition, one or     more CH₂ groups in these radicals may each be replaced,     independently of one another, by —C≡C—, —CF₂O—, —CH═CH—,

—O—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen, and

-   L¹, L² and L³ each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF₃,     OCF₃ or CHF₂.

Media of this type can be used, in particular, for electro-optical displays having active-matrix addressing based on the ECB effect and for IPS (in-plane switching) displays or FFS (fringe field switching) displays.

The principle of electrically controlled birefringence, the ECB effect or also DAP (deformation of aligned phases) effect, was described for the first time in 1971 (M. F. Schieckel and K. Fahrenschon, “Deformation of nematic liquid crystals with vertical orientation in electrical fields”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 19 (1971), 3912). This was followed by papers by J. F. Kahn (Appl. Phys. Lett. 20 (1972), 1193) and G. Labrunie and J. Robert (J. Appl. Phys. 44 (1973), 4869).

The papers by J. Robert and F. Clerc (SID 80 Digest Techn. Papers (1980), 30), J. Duchene (Displays 7 (1986), 3) and H. Schad (SID 82 Digest Techn. Papers (1982), 244) showed that liquid-crystalline phases must have high values for the ratio of the elastic constants K₃/K₁, high values for the optical anisotropy Δn and values for the dielectric anisotropy of Δ∈≦−0.5 in order to be suitable for use in high-information display elements based on the ECB effect. Electro-optical display elements based on the ECB effect have a homeotropic edge alignment (VA technology=vertically aligned). Dielectrically negative liquid-crystal media can also be used in displays which use the so-called IPS or FFS effect.

Displays which use the ECB effect, as so-called VAN (vertically aligned nematic) displays, for example in the MVA (multi-domain vertical alignment, for example: Yoshide, H. et al., paper 3.1: “MVA LCD for Notebook or Mobile PCs . . . ”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book I, pp. 6 to 9, and Liu, C. T. et al., paper 15.1: “A 46-inch TFT-LCD HDTV Technology . . . ”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 750 to 753), PVA (patterned vertical alignment, for example: Kim, Sang Soo, paper 15.4: “Super PVA Sets New State-of-the-Art for LCD-TV”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 760 to 763), ASV (advanced super view, for example: Shigeta, Mitzuhiro and Fukuoka, Hirofumi, paper 15.2: “Development of High Quality LCDTV”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 754 to 757) modes, have established themselves as one of the three more recent types of liquid-crystal display that are currently the most important, in particular for television applications, besides IPS (in-plane switching) displays (for example: Yeo, S. D., paper 15.3: “An LC Display for the TV Application”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 758 & 759) and the long-known TN (twisted nematic) displays. The technologies are compared in general form, for example, in Souk, Jun, SID Seminar 2004, seminar M-6: “Recent Advances in LCD Technology”, Seminar Lecture Notes, M-6/1 to M-6/26, and Miller, Ian, SID Seminar 2004, seminar M-7: “LCD-Television”, Seminar Lecture Notes, M-7/1 to M-7/32. Although the response times of modern ECB displays have already been significantly improved by addressing methods with overdrive, for example: Kim, Hyeon Kyeong et al., paper 9.1: “A 57-in. Wide UXGA TFT-LCD for HDTV Application”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book I, pp. 106 to 109, the achievement of video-compatible response times, in particular on switching of grey shades, is still a problem which has not yet been satisfactorily solved.

Industrial application of this effect in electro-optical display elements requires LC phases, which have to satisfy a multiplicity of requirements. Particularly important here are chemical resistance to moisture, air and physical influences, such as heat, infrared, visible and ultraviolet radiation and direct and alternating electric fields.

Furthermore, industrially usable LC phases are required to have a liquid-crystalline mesophase in a suitable temperature range and low viscosity.

None of the hitherto-disclosed series of compounds having a liquid-crystalline mesophase includes a single compound which meets all these requirements. Mixtures of two to 25, preferably three to 18, compounds are therefore generally prepared in order to obtain substances which can be used as LC phases. However, it has not been possible to prepare optimum phases easily in this way since no liquid-crystal materials having significantly negative dielectric anisotropy and adequate long-term stability were hitherto available.

Matrix liquid-crystal displays (MLC displays) are known. Non-linear elements which can be used for individual switching of the individual pixels are, for example, active elements (i.e. transistors). The term “active matrix” is then used, where a distinction can be made between two types:

-   1. MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) transistors on a silicon wafer as     substrate -   2. thin-film transistors (TFTs) on a glass plate as substrate.

In the case of type 1, the electro-optical effect used is usually dynamic scattering or the guest-host effect. The use of single-crystal silicon as substrate material restricts the display size, since even modular assembly of various part-displays results in problems at the joints.

In the case of the more promising type 2, which is preferred, the electro-optical effect used is usually the TN effect.

A distinction is made between two technologies: TFTs comprising compound semiconductors, such as, for example, CdSe, or TFTs based on polycrystalline or amorphous silicon. The latter technology is being worked on intensively worldwide.

The TFT matrix is applied to the inside of one glass plate of the display, while the other glass plate carries the transparent counterelectrode on its inside. Compared with the size of the pixel electrode, the TFT is very small and has virtually no adverse effect on the image. This technology can also be extended to fully colour-capable displays, in which a mosaic of red, green and blue filters is arranged in such a way that a filter element is opposite each switchable pixel.

The term MLC displays here covers any matrix display with integrated non-linear elements, i.e. besides the active matrix, also displays with passive elements, such as varistors or diodes (MIM=metal-insulator-metal).

MLC displays of this type are particularly suitable for TV applications (for example pocket TVs) or for high-information displays in automobile or aircraft construction. Besides problems regarding the angle dependence of the contrast and the response times, difficulties also arise in MLC displays due to insufficiently high specific resistance of the liquid-crystal mixtures [TOGASHI, S., SEKIGUCHI, K., TANABE, H., YAMAMOTO, E., SORIMACHI, K., TAJIMA, E., WATANABE, H., SHIMIZU, H., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, September 1984: A 210-288 Matrix LCD Controlled by Double Stage Diode Rings, pp. 141 ff., Paris; STROMER, M., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, September 1984: Design of Thin Film Transistors for Matrix Addressing of Television Liquid Crystal Displays, pp. 145 ff., Paris]. With decreasing resistance, the contrast of an MLC display deteriorates. Since the specific resistance of the liquid-crystal mixture generally drops over the life of an MLC display owing to interaction with the inside surfaces of the display, a high (initial) resistance is very important for displays that have to have acceptable resistance values over a long operating period.

There thus continues to be a great demand for MLC displays having very high specific resistance at the same time as a large working-temperature range, short response times and a low threshold voltage with the aid of which various grey shades can be produced.

The disadvantage of the frequently-used MLC-TN displays is due to their comparatively low contrast, the relatively high viewing-angle dependence and the difficulty of generating grey shades in these displays.

VA displays have significantly better viewing-angle dependencies and are therefore principally used for televisions and monitors. However, there continues to be a need here to improve the response times, in particular with respect to the use of televisions having frame rates (image change frequency/repetition rates) of greater than 60 Hz. At the same time, however, the properties, such as, for example, the low-temperature stability, must not be impaired.

The invention is based on the object of providing liquid-crystal mixtures, in particular for monitor and TV applications, which are based on the ECB effect or on the IPS or FFS effect, which do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages or only do so to a reduced extent. In particular, it must be ensured for monitors and televisions that they also operate at extremely high and extremely low temperatures and at the same time have short response times and at the same time have improved reliability behaviour, in particular have no or significantly reduced image sticking after long operating times.

Surprisingly, it is possible to improve the rotational viscosities and thus the response times if polar compounds of the general formula I are used in liquid-crystal mixtures, in particular in LC mixtures having negative dielectric anisotropy, preferably for VA displays.

Fluorinated naphthyl compounds generally cannot be used in nematic liquid-crystal mixtures owing to their poor phase properties and low clearing points. However, the compounds of the formula I surprisingly have very low rotational viscosities and high values of the dielectric anisotropy Δ∈. It is therefore possible to prepare liquid-crystal mixtures, preferably VA, PS(=polymer stabilized)-VA, PA (=photo alignment)-VA, IPS and FFS mixtures, which have short response times, at the same time good phase properties and good low-temperature behaviour.

The invention thus relates to a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises at least one compound of the formula I. The present invention likewise relates to compounds of the formula I.

The mixtures according to the invention preferably exhibit very broad nematic phase ranges having clearing points ≧70° C., preferably ≧75° C., in particular ≧80° C., very favourable values for the capacitive threshold, relatively high values for the holding ratio and at the same time very good low-temperature stabilities at −20° C. and −30° C., as well as very low rotational viscosities and short response times. The mixtures according to the invention are furthermore distinguished by the fact that, in addition to the improvement in the rotational viscosity γ₁, relatively high values of the elastic constant K₃₃ for improving the response times can be observed.

Some preferred embodiments of the mixtures according to the invention are indicated below.

In the compounds of the formula I, R¹ and R¹* each, independently of one another, preferably denote straight-chain alkoxy, in particular OC₂H₅, OC₃H₇, OC₄H₉, OC₅H₁₁, OC₆H₁₃, furthermore alkenyloxy, in particular OCH₂CH═CH₂, OCH₂CH═CHCH₃, OCH₂CH═CHC₂H₅, furthermore alkyl, in particular n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉, n-C₅H₁₁, n-C₆H₁₃.

Preferred compounds of the formula I are the compounds of the formulae I-1 to I-13,

in which alkyl and alkyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms, alkenyl and alkenyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkenyl radical having 2-6 C atoms, alkoxy and alkoxy* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkoxy radical having 1-6 C atoms, and L¹, L² and L³ each, independently of one another, denote F or Cl. In the compounds of the formula I and in the sub-formulae I-1 to I-13, preferably L¹=L²=L³=F.

Particular preference is given to the compounds of the formula I-6.

The mixture according to the invention very particularly preferably comprises at least one compound of the formula I-6A:

The mixtures according to the invention very particularly preferably comprise at least one compound from the following group:

In the compounds of the formula I and the sub-formulae, L¹, L² and L³ each, independently of one another, preferably denote F or Cl, in particular L¹=L²=L³=F. R¹ and R¹* preferably both denote alkoxy.

The compounds of the formula I can be prepared, for example, as follows:

The present invention likewise relates to the compounds of the formula I.

The media according to the invention preferably comprise one, two, three, four or more, preferably one, two or three, compounds of the formula I.

The compounds of the formula I are preferably employed in the liquid-crystalline medium in amounts of ≧1% by weight, preferably ≧5% by weight, based on the mixture as a whole. Particular preference is given to liquid-crystalline media which comprise 2-15% by weight of one or more compounds of the formula I.

Preferred embodiments of the liquid-crystalline medium according to the invention are indicated below:

-   a) Liquid-crystalline medium which additionally comprises one or     more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the     formulae IIA, IIB and IIC:

-   -   in which     -   R^(2A), R^(2B) and R^(2C) each, independently of one another,         denote H, an alkyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is         unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF₃ or at least         monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH₂         groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,

-   -    —C≡C—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O         atoms are not linked directly to one another,     -   L¹⁻⁴ each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF₃ or         CHF₂,     -   Z² and Z^(2′) each, independently of one another, denote a         single bond, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —CH₂O—, —OCH₂—,         —COO—, —OCO—, —C₂F₄—, —CF═CF—, —CH═CHCH₂O—,     -   p denotes 1 or 2,     -   q denotes 0 or 1, and     -   v denotes 1 to 6.     -   In the compounds of the formulae IIA and IIB, Z² may have         identical or different meanings. In the compounds of the formula         IIB, Z² and Z^(2′) may have identical or different meanings.     -   In the compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and IIC, R^(2A),         R^(2B) and R^(2C) each preferably denote alkyl having 1-6 C         atoms, in particular CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉, n-C₅H₁₁.     -   In the compounds of the formulae IIA and IIB, L¹, L², L³ and L⁴         preferably denote L¹=L²=F and L³=L⁴=F, furthermore L¹=F and         L²=Cl, L¹=Cl and L²=F, L³=F and L⁴=Cl, L³=Cl and L⁴=F. Z² and         Z²′ in the formulae IIA and IIB preferably each, independently         of one another, denote a single bond, furthermore a —C₂H₄—         bridge.     -   If in the formula IIB Z²=—C₂H₄—, Z^(2′) is preferably a single         bond or, if Z^(2′)=—C₂H₄—, Z² is preferably a single bond. In         the compounds of the formulae IIA and IIB, (O)C_(v)H_(2v+1)         preferably denotes OC_(v)H_(2v+1), furthermore C_(v)H_(2v+1). In         the compounds of the formula IIC, (O)C_(v)H_(2v+1) preferably         denotes C_(v)H_(2v+1). In the compounds of the formula IIC, L³         and L⁴ preferably each denote F.     -   Preferred compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and IIC are         indicated below:

-   -   in which alkyl and alkyl* each, independently of one another,         denote a straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms.     -   Particularly preferred mixtures according to the invention         comprise one or more compounds of the formulae IIA-2, IIA-8,         IIA-14, IIA-29, IIA-35, IIB-2, IIB-11, IIB-16 and IIC-1.     -   The proportion of compounds of the formulae IIA and/or IIB in         the mixture as a whole is preferably at least 20% by weight.     -   Particularly preferred media according to the invention comprise         at least one compound of the formula IIC-1,

-   -   in which alkyl and alkyl* have the meanings indicated above,         preferably in amounts of >3% by weight, in particular >5% by         weight and particularly preferably 5-25% by weight.

-   b) Liquid-crystalline medium which additionally comprises one or     more compounds of the formula III,

-   -   in which     -   R³¹ and R³² each, independently of one another, denote a         straight-chain alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxy radical having up to         12 C atoms, and

-   -   Z³ denotes a single bond, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—,         —CH₂O—, —OCH₂—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C₂F₄—, —C₄H₈—, —CF═CF—.     -   Preferred compounds of the formula III are indicated below:

-   -   in which     -   alkyl and     -   alkyl* each, independently of one another, denote a         straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms.     -   The medium according to the invention preferably comprises at         least one compound of the formula IIIa and/or formula IIIb.     -   The proportion of compounds of the formula III in the mixture as         a whole is preferably at least 5% by weight.

-   c) Liquid-crystalline medium additionally comprising a compound of     the formula

-   -   preferably in total amounts of ≧5% by weight, in particular ≧10%         by weight.     -   Preference is furthermore given to mixtures according to the         invention comprising the compound

-   d) Liquid-crystalline medium which additionally comprises one or     more tetracyclic compounds of the formulae

-   -   in which     -   R⁷⁻¹⁰ each, independently of one another, have one of the         meanings indicated for R^(2A) in Claim 2, and     -   w and x each, independently of one another, denote 1 to 6.     -   Particular preference is given to mixtures comprising at least         one compound of the formula V-9.

-   e) Liquid-crystalline medium which additionally comprises one or     more compounds of the formulae Y-1 to Y-6,

-   -   in which R¹⁴-R¹⁹ each, independently of one another, denote an         alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1-6 C atoms; z and m each,         independently of one another, denote 1-6; x denotes 0, 1, 2 or         3.     -   The medium according to the invention particularly preferably         comprises one or more compounds of the formulae Y-1 to Y-6,         preferably in amounts of θ5% by weight.

-   f) Liquid-crystalline medium additionally comprising one or more     fluorinated terphenyls of the formulae T-1 to T-21,

-   -   in which     -   R denotes a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1-7 C         atoms, and m=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or         4.     -   R preferably denotes methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,         hexyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy.     -   The medium according to the invention preferably comprises the         terphenyls of the formulae T-1 to T-21 in amounts of 2-30% by         weight, in particular 5-20% by weight.     -   Particular preference is given to compounds of the formulae T-1,         T-2, T-20 and T-21. In these compounds, R preferably denotes         alkyl, furthermore alkoxy, each having 1-5 C atoms. In the         compounds of the formula T-20, R preferably denotes alkyl or         alkenyl, in particular alkyl. In the compound of the formula         T-21, R preferably denotes alkyl.     -   The terphenyls are preferably employed in the mixtures according         to the invention if the Δn value of the mixture is to be ≧0.1.         Preferred mixtures comprise 2-20% by weight of one or more         terphenyl compounds selected from the group of the compounds T-1         to T-21.

-   g) Liquid-crystalline medium additionally comprising one or more     biphenyls of the formulae B-1 to B-3,

-   -   in which     -   alkyl and alkyl* each, independently of one another, denote a         straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms, and     -   alkenyl and alkenyl* each, independently of one another, denote         a straight-chain alkenyl radical having 2-6 C atoms.     -   The proportion of the biphenyls of the formulae B-1 to B-3 in         the mixture as a whole is preferably at least 3% by weight, in         particular ≧5% by weight.     -   Of the compounds of the formulae B-1 to B-3, the compounds of         the formulae B-1 and B-2 are particularly preferred.     -   Particularly preferred biphenyls are

-   -   in which alkyl* denotes an alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms. The         medium according to the invention particularly preferably         comprises one or more compounds of the formulae B-1a and/or         B-2d.

-   h) Liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one compound of the     formulae Z-1 to Z-7,

-   -   in which R and alkyl have the meanings indicated above.

-   i) Liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one compound of the     formulae O-1 to O-16,

-   -   in which R¹ and R² have the meanings indicated for R^(2A). R¹         and R² preferably each, independently of one another, denote         straight-chain alkyl.     -   Preferred media comprise one or more compounds of the formulae         O-1, O-3, O-4, O-5, O-9, O-13, O-14, O-15 and/or O-16.     -   Mixtures according to the invention very particularly preferably         comprise the compounds of the formula O-9, O-15 and/or O-16, in         particular in amounts of 5-30%.     -   Preferred compounds of the formulae O-15 and O-16 are indicated         below:

-   -   The medium according to the invention particularly preferably         comprises the tricyclic compounds of the formula O-15a and/or of         the formula O-15b in combination with one or more bicyclic         compounds of the formulae O-16a to O-16d. The total proportion         of the compounds of the formulae O-15a and/or O-15b in         combination with one or more compounds selected from the         bicyclic compounds of the formulae O-16a to O-16d is 5-40%, very         particularly preferably 15-35%.     -   Very particularly preferred mixtures comprise compounds O-15a         and O-16a:

-   -   Compounds O-15a and O-16a are preferably present in the mixture         in a concentration of 15-35%, particularly preferably 15-25% and         especially preferably 18-22%, based on the mixture as a whole.     -   Very particularly preferred mixtures comprise compounds O-15b         and O-16a:

-   -   Compounds O-15b and O-16a are preferably present in the mixture         in a concentration of 15-35%, particularly preferably 15-25% and         especially preferably 18-22%, based on the mixture as a whole.     -   Very particularly preferred mixtures comprise the following         three compounds:

-   -   Compounds O-15a, O-15b and O-16a are preferably present in the         mixture in a concentration of 15-35%, particularly preferably         15-25% and especially preferably 18-22%, based on the mixture as         a whole.

-   j) Preferred liquid-crystalline media according to the invention     comprise one or more substances which contain a tetrahydronaphthyl     or naphthyl unit, such as, for example, the compounds of the     formulae N-1 to N-5,

-   -   in which R^(1N) and R^(2N) each, independently of one another,         have the meanings indicated for R^(2A), preferably denote         straight-chain alkyl, straight-chain alkoxy or straight-chain         alkenyl, and     -   Z¹ and Z² each, independently of one another, denote —C₂H₄—,         —CH═CH—, —(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₃O—, —O(CH₂)₃—, —CH═CHCH₂CH₂—,         —CH₂CH₂CH═CH—, —CH₂O—, —OCH₂—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C₂F₄—, —CF═CF—,         —CF═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —CH₂— or a single bond.

-   k) Preferred mixtures comprise one or more compounds selected from     the group of the difluorodibenzochroman compounds of the formula BC,     chromans of the formula CR, fluorinated phenanthrenes of the     formulae PH-1 and PH-2, fluorinated dibenzofurans of the formula BF,

-   -   in which     -   R^(B1), R^(B2), R^(CR1), R^(CR2), R¹, R² each, independently of         one another, have the meaning of R^(2A). c is 0, 1 or 2.     -   The mixtures according to the invention preferably comprise the         compounds of the formulae BC, CR, PH-1, PH-2 and/or BF in         amounts of 3 to 20% by weight, in particular in amounts of 3 to         15% by weight. Particularly preferred compounds of the formulae         BC and CR are the compounds BC-1 to BC-7 and CR-1 to CR-5,

-   -   in which     -   alkyl and alkyl* each, independently of one another, denote a         straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms, and     -   alkenyl and     -   alkenyl* each, independently of one another, denote a         straight-chain alkenyl radical having 2-6 C atoms.     -   Very particular preference is given to mixtures comprising one,         two or three compounds of the formula BC-2.

-   l) Preferred mixtures comprise one or more indane compounds of the     formula In,

-   -   in which     -   R¹¹, R¹²,     -   R¹³ each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain         alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkenyl radical having 1-6 C         atoms,     -   R¹² and R¹³ additionally denote halogen, preferably F,

-   -    denotes

-   -   i denotes 0, 1 or 2.     -   Preferred compounds of the formula In are the compounds of the         formulae In-1 to In-16 indicated below:

-   -   Particular preference is given to the compounds of the formulae         In-1, In-2, In-3 and In-4.     -   The compounds of the formula In and the sub-formulae In-1 to         In-16 are preferably employed in the mixtures according to the         invention in concentrations ≧5% by weight, in particular 5-30%         by weight and very particularly preferably 5-25% by weight.

-   m) Preferred mixtures additionally comprise one or more compounds of     the formulae L-1 to L-11,

-   -   in which     -   R, R¹ and R² each, independently of one another, have the         meanings indicated for R^(2A) in Claim 2, and alkyl denotes an         alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms. s denotes 1 or 2.     -   Particular preference is given to the compounds of the formulae         L-1 and L-4, in particular L-4.     -   The compounds of the formulae L-1 to L-11 are preferably         employed in concentrations of 5-50% by weight, in particular         5-40% by weight and very particularly preferably 10-40% by         weight.

-   n) The medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the     formula EY

-   -   in which R¹, R¹*, L¹ and L² have the meanings indicated in         formula I. In the compounds of the formula EY, R¹ and R¹*         preferably denote alkoxy having ≧2 C atoms, and L¹=L²=F.         Particular preference is given to the compounds of the formulae

Particularly preferred mixture concepts are indicated below: (The acronyms used are explained in Table A. n and m here each denote, independently of one another, 1-6).

The mixtures according to the invention preferably comprise

-   -   the compound of the formula I in which L¹=L²=F and R¹ and R¹*         each, independently of one another, denote alkoxy, where the         alkoxy radicals may be identical or different,     -   CPY-n-Om, in particular CPY-2-O2, CPY-3-O2 and/or CPY-5-O2,         preferably in concentrations >5%, in particular 10-30%, based on         the mixture as a whole,

and/or

-   -   CY-n-Om, preferably CY-3-O2, CY-3-O4, CY-5-O2 and/or CY-5-O4,         preferably in concentrations >5%, in particular 15-50%, based on         the mixture as a whole,

and/or

-   -   CCY-n-Om, preferably CCY-2-O2, CCY-3-O1, CCY-3-O2, CCY-3-O3,         CCY-4-O2 and/or CCY-5-O2, preferably in concentrations >5%, in         particular 10-30%, based on the mixture as a whole,

and/or

-   -   CLY-n-Om, preferably CLY-2-O4, CLY-3-O2 and/or CLY-3-O3,         preferably in concentrations >5%, in particular 10-30%, based on         the mixture as a whole,

and/or

-   -   CK-n-F, preferably CK-3-F, CK-4-F and/or CK-5-F, preferably in         concentrations of >5%, in particular 5-25%, based on the mixture         as a whole.

Preference is furthermore given to mixtures according to the invention which comprise the following mixture concepts:

(n and m each denote, independently of one another, 1-6.)

-   -   CPY-n-Om and CY-n-Om, preferably in concentrations of 10-80%,         based on the mixture as a whole,

and/or

-   -   CPY-n-Om and CK-n-F, preferably in concentrations of 10-70%,         based on the mixture as a whole,

and/or

-   -   CPY-n-Om and CLY-n-Om, preferably in concentrations of 10-80%,         based on the mixture as a whole.

The invention furthermore relates to an electro-optical display having active-matrix addressing based on the ECB, VA, PS-VA, PSA, PA-VA, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS or PS-FFS effect, characterised in that it contains, as dielectric, a liquid-crystalline medium according to one or more of Claims 1 to 9.

The liquid-crystalline medium according to the invention preferably has a nematic phase from ≦−20° C. to ≧70° C., particularly preferably from ≦−30° C. to ≧80° C., very particularly preferably from ≦−40° C. to ≧90° C.

The expression “have a nematic phase” here means on the one hand that no smectic phase and no crystallisation are observed at low temperatures at the corresponding temperature and on the other hand that clearing still does not occur on heating from the nematic phase. The investigation at low temperatures is carried out in a flow viscometer at the corresponding temperature and checked by storage in test cells having a layer thickness corresponding to the electro-optical use for at least 100 hours. If the storage stability at a temperature of −20° C. in a corresponding test cell is 1000 h or more, the medium is referred to as stable at this temperature. At temperatures of −30° C. and −40° C., the corresponding times are 500 h and 250 h respectively. At high temperatures, the clearing point is measured by conventional methods in capillaries.

The liquid-crystal mixture preferably has a nematic phase range of at least 60 K and a flow viscosity v₂₀ of at most 30 mm²·s⁻¹ at 20° C.

The values of the birefringence Δn in the liquid-crystal mixture are generally between 0.07 and 0.16, preferably between 0.08 and 0.12.

The liquid-crystal mixture according to the invention has a Δ∈ of −0.5 to −8.0, in particular −2.5 to −6.0, where Δ∈ denotes the dielectric anisotropy. The rotational viscosity γ₁ at 20° C. is preferably ≦165 mPa·s, in particular 140 mPa·s.

The liquid-crystal media according to the invention have relatively low values for the threshold voltage (V₀). They are preferably in the range from 1.7 V to 3.0 V, particularly preferably ≦2.5 V and very particularly preferably ≦2.3 V.

For the present invention, the term “threshold voltage” relates to the capacitive threshold (V₀), also known as the Freedericks threshold, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

In addition, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention have high values for the voltage holding ratio in liquid-crystal cells.

In general, liquid-crystal media having a low addressing voltage or threshold voltage exhibit a lower voltage holding ratio than those having a higher addressing voltage or threshold voltage and vice versa.

For the present invention, the term “dielectrically positive compounds” denotes compounds having a Δ∈>1.5, the term “dielectrically neutral compounds” denotes those having −1.5≦Δ∈≦1.5 and the term “dielectrically negative compounds” denotes those having Δ∈<−1.5. The dielectric anisotropy of the compounds is determined here by dissolving 10% of the compounds in a liquid-crystalline host and determining the capacitance of the resultant mixture in at least one test cell in each case having a layer thickness of 20 μm with homeotropic and with homogeneous surface alignment at 1 kHz. The measurement voltage is typically 0.5 V to 1.0 V, but is always lower than the capacitive threshold of the respective liquid-crystal mixture investigated.

All temperature values indicated for the present invention are in ° C.

The mixtures according to the invention are suitable for all VA-TFT applications, such as, for example, VAN, MVA, (S)-PVA, ASV, PSA (polymer sustained VA) and PS-VA (polymer stabilized VA). They are furthermore suitable for IPS (in-plane switching) and FFS (fringe field switching) applications having negative Δ∈.

The nematic liquid-crystal mixtures in the displays according to the invention generally comprise two components A and B, which themselves consist of one or more individual compounds.

Component A has significantly negative dielectric anisotropy and gives the nematic phase a dielectric anisotropy of ≦−0.5. Besides one or more compounds of the formula I, it preferably comprises the compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and/or IIC, furthermore compounds of the formula III.

The proportion of component A is preferably between 45 and 100%, in particular between 60 and 100%.

For component A, one (or more) individual compound(s) which has (have) a value of Δ∈≦−0.8 is (are) preferably selected. This value must be more negative, the smaller the proportion A in the mixture as a whole.

Component B has pronounced nematogeneity and a flow viscosity of not greater than 30 mm²·s⁻¹, preferably not greater than 25 mm²·s⁻¹, at 20° C.

Particularly preferred individual compounds in component B are extremely low-viscosity nematic liquid crystals having a flow viscosity of not greater than 18 mm²·s⁻¹, preferably not greater than 12 mm²·s⁻¹, at 20° C.

Component B is monotropically or enantiotropically nematic, has no smectic phases and is able to prevent the occurrence of smectic phases down to very low temperatures in liquid-crystal mixtures. For example, if various materials of high nematogeneity are added to a smectic liquid-crystal mixture, the nematogeneity of these materials can be compared through the degree of suppression of smectic phases that is achieved.

The mixture may optionally also comprise a component C, comprising compounds having a dielectric anisotropy of Δ∈≧1.5. These so-called positive compounds are generally present in a mixture of negative dielectric anisotropy in amounts of ≦20% by weight, based on the mixture as a whole.

A multiplicity of suitable materials is known to the person skilled in the art from the literature. Particular preference is given to compounds of the formula III.

In addition, these liquid-crystal phases may also comprise more than 18 components, preferably 18 to 25 components.

Besides one or more compounds of the formula I, the phases preferably comprise 4 to 15, in particular 5 to 12, and particularly preferably <10, compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and/or IIC and optionally III.

Besides compounds of the formula I and the compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and/or IIC and optionally III, other constituents may also be present, for example in an amount of up to 45% of the mixture as a whole, but preferably up to 35%, in particular up to 10%.

The other constituents are preferably selected from nematic or nematogenic substances, in particular known substances, from the classes of the azoxybenzenes, benzylideneanilines, biphenyls, terphenyls, phenyl or cyclohexyl benzoates, phenyl or cyclohexyl cyclohexanecarboxylates, phenylcyclohexanes, cyclohexylbiphenyls, cyclohexylcyclohexanes, cyclohexylnaphthalenes, 1,4-biscyclohexylbiphenyls or cyclohexylpyrimidines, phenyl- or cyclohexyldioxanes, optionally halogenated stilbenes, benzyl phenyl ethers, tolans and substituted cinnamic acid esters.

The most important compounds which are suitable as constituents of liquid-crystal phases of this type can be characterised by the formula IV R²⁰-L-G-E-R²¹  IV in which L and E each denote a carbo- or heterocyclic ring system from the group formed by 1,4-disubstituted benzene and cyclohexane rings, 4,4′-disubstituted biphenyl, phenylcyclohexane and cyclohexylcyclohexane systems, 2,5-disubstituted pyrimidine and 1,3-dioxane rings, 2,6-disubstituted naphthalene, di- and tetrahydronaphthalene, quinazoline and tetrahydroquinazoline,

G denotes —CH=CH— —N(O)=N— —CH=CQ- —CH=N(O)— —C≡C— —CH₂—CH₂— —CO—O— —CH₂—O— —CO—S— —CH₂—S— —CH=N— —COO-Phe-COO— —CF₂O— —CF=CF— —OCF₂— —OCH₂— —(CH₂)₄— —(CH₂)₃O— or a C—C single bond, Q denotes halogen, preferably chlorine, or —CN, and R²⁰ and R²¹ each denote alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxycarbonyloxy having up to 18, preferably up to 8, carbon atoms, or one of these radicals alternatively denotes CN, NC, NO₂, NCS, CF₃, SF₅, OCF₃, F, Cl or Br.

In most of these compounds, R²⁰ and R²¹ are different from one another, one of these radicals usually being an alkyl or alkoxy group. Other variants of the proposed substituents are also common. Many such substances or also mixtures thereof are commercially available. All these substances can be prepared by methods known from the literature.

It goes without saying for the person skilled in the art that the VA, IPS or FFS mixture according to the invention may also comprise compounds in which, for example, H, N, O, Cl and F have been replaced by the corresponding isotopes.

Polymerisable compounds, so-called reactive mesogens (RMs), for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,861,107, may furthermore be added to the mixtures according to the invention in concentrations of preferably 0.12-5% by weight, particularly preferably 0.2-2% by weight, based on the mixture. These mixtures may optionally also comprise an initiator, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,665. The initiator, for example Irganox-1076 from Ciba, is preferably added to the mixture comprising polymerisable compounds in amounts of 0-1%. Mixtures of this type can be used for so-called polymer-stabilised VA modes (PS-VA) or PSA (polymer sustained VA), in which polymerisation of the reactive mesogens is intended to take place in the liquid-crystalline mixture. The prerequisite for this is that the liquid-crystal mixture does not itself comprise any polymerisable components.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polymerisable compounds are selected from the compounds of the formula M, R^(a)-A¹-(Z¹-A²)_(m)-R^(b)  M in which the individual radicals have the following meanings:

-   R^(a) and R^(b) each, independently of one another, denote P, P-Sp-,     H, halogen, SF₅, NO₂, a carbon group or hydrocarbon group, where at     least one of the radicals R^(a) and R^(b) denotes or contains a     group P or P-Sp-, -   P on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes a     polymerisable group, -   Sp on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes a spacer     group or a single bond, -   A¹ and A² each, independently of one another, denote an aromatic,     heteroaromatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic group, preferably having 4     to 25 ring atoms, which may also contain fused rings, and which may     also be mono- or polysubstituted by L, -   L denotes P-Sp-, H, OH, CH₂OH, halogen, SF₅, NO₂, a carbon group or     a hydrocarbon group, -   Z¹ on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes —O—, —S—,     —CO—, —CO—O—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —OCH₂—, —CH₂O—, —SCH₂—, —CH₂S—,     —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —CF₂S—, —SCF₂—, —(CH₂)_(n1)—, —CF₂CH₂—, —CH₂CF₂—,     —(CF₂)_(n1)—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —C≡C—, —CH═CH—COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—,     CR⁰R⁰⁰ or a single bond, -   R⁰ and R⁰⁰ each, independently of one another, denote H or alkyl     having 1 to 12 C atoms, -   m denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, -   n1 denotes 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula M are those in which

-   R^(a) and R^(b) each, independently of one another, denote P, P-Sp-,     H, F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —NCO, —NCS, —OCN, —SCN, SF₅ or     straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 25 C atoms, in which,     in addition, one or more non-adjacent CH₂ groups may each be     replaced, independently of one another, by —C(R⁰)═C(R⁰⁰)—, —C≡C—,     —N(R⁰⁰)—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —O—CO—O— in such a way     that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in     which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl,     Br, I, CN, P or P-Sp-, where at least one of the radicals R^(a) and     R^(b) denotes or contains a group P or P-Sp-, -   A¹ and A² each, independently of one another, denote 1,4-phenylene,     naphthalene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl,     anthracene-2,7-diyl, fluorene-2,7-diyl, 2-oxo-2H-chromene-3,6-diyl,     2-oxo-2H-chromene-3,7-diyl, 4-oxo-4H-chromene-2,6-diyl,     4-oxo-4H-chromene-3,6-diyl, 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3,7-diyl (trivial name     coumarine or flavone respectively), where, in addition, one or more     CH groups in these groups may be replaced by N,     cyclohexane-1,4-diyl, in which, in addition, one or more     non-adjacent CH₂ groups may be replaced by O and/or S,     1,4-cyclohexenylene, bicyclo[1.1.1]-pentane-1,3-diyl,     bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diyl, spiro[3.3]heptane-2,6-diyl,     piperidine-1,4-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl,     1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, indane-2,5-diyl or     octahydro-4,7-methanoindane-2,5-diyl, where all these groups may be     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by L, -   L denotes P, P-Sp-, OH, CH₂OH, F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —NCO, —NCS,     —OCN, —SCN, —C(═O)N(R^(x))₂, —C(═O)Y¹, —C(═O)R^(x), —N(R^(x))₂,     optionally substituted silyl, optionally substituted aryl having 6     to 20 C atoms, or straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy,     alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy     having 1 to 25 C atoms, in which, in addition, one or more H atoms     may be replaced by F, Cl, P or P-Sp-, -   P denotes a polymerisable group, -   Y¹ denotes halogen, -   R^(x) denotes P, P-Sp-, H, halogen, straight-chain, branched or     cyclic alkyl having 1 to 25 C atoms, in which, in addition, one or     more non-adjacent CH₂ groups may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—,     —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —O—CO—O— in such a way that O and/or S atoms are not     linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or     more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl, P or P-Sp-, an optionally     substituted aryl or aryloxy group having 6 to 40 C atoms, or an     optionally substituted heteroaryl or heteroaryloxy group having 2 to     40 C atoms.

Further preferred compounds of the formula M are those selected from one or more of the following sub-groups:

-   -   m is 2 or 3,     -   m is 2,     -   R^(a) and R^(b) denote identical or different groups P-Sp-,     -   R^(a) and R^(b) denote identical or different groups P-Sp- in         which one or more groups Sp denote a single bond,     -   m is 2 or 3, and R^(a) and R^(b) denote identical groups P-Sp-,     -   one of the radicals R^(a) and R^(b) denotes P-Sp- and the other         denotes an unpolymerisable group, preferably straight-chain or         branched alkyl having 1 to 25 C atoms, in which, in addition,         one or more non-adjacent CH₂ groups may each be replaced,         independently of one another, by —C(R⁰⁰)═C(R⁰⁰⁰)—, —C≡C—,         —N(R⁰⁰)—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— or —O—CO—O— in such a         way that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one         another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be         replaced by F, Cl, Br, I or CN,     -   one or more groups Sp denote a single bond,     -   one or more groups Sp denote —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—,         —(CH₂)_(p1)—OCO— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—OCOO—, in which p1 denotes an         integer from 1 to 12, and r1 denotes an integer from 1 to 8,     -   L does not denote and/or contain a polymerisable group,     -   A¹ and A² denote, independently of one another, 1,4-phenylene or         naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in which, in addition, one or more CH         groups in these groups may be replaced by N and which may, in         addition, be mono- or polyfluorinated,     -   Z¹ is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —CO—O—, —OCO—,         —OCH₂—, —CH₂O—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—,         —CH═CF—, —CF═CH—, —C≡C— and a single bond,     -   L is an unpolymerisable group, preferably selected from the         group consisting of F, Cl, —CN, straight-chain and branched         alkyl having 1 to 25 C atoms, in which, in addition, one or more         non-adjacent CH₂ groups may each be replaced, independently of         one another, by —C(R⁰⁰)═C(R⁰⁰⁰)—, —C≡C—, —N(R⁰⁰)—, —O—, —S—,         —CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— or —O—CO—O— in such a way that O and/or S         atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in         addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl, Br, I or         CN.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula M are selected from the following sub-formulae:

-   -   in which

-   P¹ and P² have one of the meanings indicated for P and preferably     denote acrylate, methacrylate, fluoroacrylate, oxetane, vinyloxy or     epoxy,

-   Sp¹ and Sp² each, independently of one another, have one of the     meanings indicated for Sp or denote a single bond, where one or more     of the radicals P¹-Sp¹- and P²-Sp² may also denote R^(aa), where at     least one of the radicals P¹-Sp¹- and P²-Sp² is different from     R^(aa),

-   R^(aa) denotes F, Cl, —CN, straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1     to 25 C atoms, in which, in addition, one or more non-adjacent CH₂     groups may each be replaced, independently of one another, by     —C(R⁰⁰)═C(R⁰⁰⁰)—, —C≡C—, —N(R⁰⁰)—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— or     —O—CO—O— in such a way that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly     to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may     be replaced by F, Cl, Br, I or ON,

-   R⁰ and R⁰⁰ have the meanings indicated in formula I*,

-   Z¹ denotes —O—, —CO—, —C(R^(y)R^(z))— or —CF₂CF₂—,

-   Z² and Z³ each, independently of one another, denote —CO—O—, —O—CO—,     —CH₂O—, —OCH₂—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂— or —(CH₂)_(n)—, in which n is 2, 3 or     4,

-   L has the meaning indicated above for formula I,

-   L′ and L″ each, independently of one another, denote H, F or Cl,

-   r denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,

-   s denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,

-   t denotes 0, 1 or 2,

-   x denotes 0 or 1, and

-   R^(y) and R^(z) each, independently of one another, denote H, CH₃ or     CF₃.

Further preferred compounds of the formula M are selected from the following sub-formulae:

in which the individual radicals have the meanings indicated for formulae M1-M21.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the polymerisable compounds are chiral or optically active compounds selected from formula II* (chiral RMs): (R*-(A¹-Z¹)_(m))_(k)-Q  II* in which A¹, Z¹ and m have on each occurrence, identically or differently, one of the meanings indicated in formula I*,

-   R* has on each occurrence, identically or differently, one of the     meanings indicated for R^(a) in formula I*, where R* can be chiral     or achiral, -   Q denotes a k-valent chiral group, which is optionally mono- or     polysubstituted by L, as defined in formula I*, -   k is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,     where the compounds contain at least one radical R* or L which     denotes or contains a group P or P-Sp- as defined above.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula II* contain a monovalent group Q of the formula III*

in which L and r have on each occurrence, identically or differently, the meanings indicated above,

-   A* and B* each, independently of one another, denote fused benzene,     cyclohexane or cyclohexene, -   t on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes 0, 1 or 2,     and -   u on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes 0, 1 or 2.

Particular preference is given to groups of the formula III* in which u denotes 1.

Further preferred compounds of the formula II* contain a monovalent group Q or one or more groups R* of the formula IV*

in which

-   Q¹ denotes alkylene or alkyleneoxy having 1 to 9 C atoms or a single     bond, -   Q² denotes optionally fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 10 C     atoms, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent CH₂ groups may     be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CH═CH—, —CO—, —OCO—, —COO—, —O—OCO—,     —S—CO—, —CO—S— or —C≡C— in such a way that O and/or S atoms are not     linked directly to one another, -   Q³ denotes F, Cl, CN or alkyl or alkoxy as defined for Q², but     different from Q².

Preferred groups of the formula IV* are, for example, 2-butyl (=1-methylpropyl), 2-methylbutyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 2-propylpentyl, in particular 2-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutoxy, 2-methylpentoxy, 3-methylpentoxy, 2-ethylhexoxy, 1-methylhexoxy, 2-octyloxy, 2-oxa-3-methylbutyl, 3-oxa-4-methylpentyl, 4-methylhexyl, 2-hexyl, 2-octyl, 2-nonyl, 2-decyl, 2-dodecyl, 6-methoxyoctoxy, 6-methyloctoxy, 6-methyloctanoyloxy, 5-methylheptyloxycarbonyl, 2-methylbutyryloxy, 3-methylvaleroyloxy, 4-methylhexanoyloxy, 2-chloropropionyloxy, 2-chloro-3-methylbutyryloxy, 2-chloro-4-methylvaleryloxy, 2-chloro-3-methylvaleryloxy, 2-methyl-3-oxapentyl, 2-methyl-3-oxahexyl, 1-methoxypropyl-2-oxy, 1-ethoxypropyl-2-oxy, 1-propoxypropyl-2-oxy, 1-butoxypropyl-2-oxy, 2-fluorooctyloxy, 2-fluorodecyloxy, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-octyloxy, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-octyl, 2-fluoromethyloctyloxy.

Further preferred compounds of the formula II* contain a divalent group Q of the formula V*

in which L, r, t, A* and B* have the meanings indicated above.

Further preferred compounds of the formula II* contain a divalent group Q selected from the following formulae:

in which Phe denotes phenyl, which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by L, and R^(x) denotes F or optionally fluorinated alkyl having 1 to 4 C atoms.

Suitable chiral RMs are described, for example, in GB 2 314 839 A, U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,719, U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,450, WO 02/34739 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,345, U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,331 or U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,950. Suitable RMs containing binaphthyl groups are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,818,261, U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,940, U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,950 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,450.

The chiral structural elements shown above and below and polymerisable and polymerised compounds containing such chiral structural elements can be employed in optically active form, i.e. as pure enantiomers or as any desired mixture of the two enantiomers, or alternatively as a racemate. The use of racemates is preferred. The use of racemates has some advantages over the use of pure enantiomers, such as, for example, significantly lower synthesis complexity and lower material costs.

The compounds of the formula II* are preferably present in the LC medium in the form of the racemate.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula II* are selected from the following sub-formulae:

in which L, P, Sp, m, r and t have the meanings indicated above, Z and A have on each occurrence, identically or differently, one of the meanings indicated for Z¹ and A¹ respectively, and t1 on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes 0 or 1.

The term “carbon group” denotes a mono- or polyvalent organic group containing at least one carbon atom, where this either contains no further atoms (such as, for example, —C≡C—) or optionally contains one or more further atoms, such as, for example, N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te or Ge (for example carbonyl, etc.). The term “hydrocarbon group” denotes a carbon group which additionally contains one or more H atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms, such as, for example, N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te or Ge.

“Halogen” denotes F, Cl, Br or I.

A carbon or hydrocarbon group can be a saturated or unsaturated group. Unsaturated groups are, for example, aryl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups. A carbon or hydrocarbon radical having more than 3 C atoms can be straight-chain, branched and/or cyclic and may also contain spiro links or condensed rings.

The terms “alkyl”, “aryl”, “heteroaryl”, etc., also encompass polyvalent groups, for example alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, etc.

The term “aryl” denotes an aromatic carbon group or a group derived therefrom. The term “heteroaryl” denotes “aryl” as defined above, containing one or more heteroatoms.

Preferred carbon and hydrocarbon groups are optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy and alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 40, preferably 1 to 25, particularly preferably 1 to 18, C atoms, optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 25, C atoms, or optionally substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryloxy, arylalkyloxy, arylcarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyloxy and aryloxycarbonyloxy having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 25, C atoms.

Further preferred carbon and hydrocarbon groups are C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, C₃-C₄₀ allyl, C₄-C₄₀ alkyldienyl, C₄-C₄₀ polyenyl, C₆-C₄₀ aryl, C₆-C₄₀ alkylaryl, C₆-C₄₀ arylalkyl, C₆-C₄₀ alkylaryloxy, C₆-C₄₀ arylalkyloxy, C₂-C₄₀ heteroaryl, C₄-C₄₀ cycloalkyl, C₄-C₄₀ cycloalkenyl, etc. Particular preference is given to C₁-C₂₂ alkyl, C₂-C₂₂ alkenyl, C₂-C₂₂ alkynyl, C₃-C₂₂ allyl, C₄-C₂₂ alkyldienyl, C₆-C₁₂ aryl, C₆-C₂₀ arylalkyl and C₂-C₂₀ heteroaryl.

Further preferred carbon and hydrocarbon groups are straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl radicals having 1 to 40, preferably 1 to 25, C atoms, which are unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by F, Cl, Br, I or CN and in which one or more non-adjacent CH₂ groups may each be replaced, independently of one another, by —C(R^(x))═C(R^(x))—, —C≡C—, —N(R^(x))—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —O—CO—O— in such a way that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another.

R^(x) preferably denotes H, halogen, a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl chain having 1 to 25 C atoms, in which, in addition, one or more non-adjacent C atoms may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —O—CO—O— and in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, an optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy group having 6 to 40 C atoms, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl or heteroaryloxy group having 2 to 40 C atoms.

Preferred alkoxy groups are, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, s-butoxy, t-butoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, n-pentoxy, n-hexoxy, n-heptoxy, n-octoxy, n-nonoxy, n-decoxy, n-undecoxy, n-dodecoxy, etc.

Preferred alkyl groups are, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, 2-methylbutyl, n-pentyl, s-pentyl, cyclopentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-heptyl, cycloheptyl, n-octyl, cyclooctyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, dodecanyl, trifluoromethyl, perfluoro-n-butyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, perfluorooctyl, perfluorohexyl, etc.

Preferred alkenyl groups are, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, cyclopentenyl, hexenyl, cyclohexenyl, heptenyl, cycloheptenyl, octenyl, cyclooctenyl, etc.

Preferred alkynyl groups are, for example, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, octynyl, etc.

Preferred alkoxy groups are, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, s-butoxy, t-butoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, n-pentoxy, n-hexoxy, n-heptoxy, n-octoxy, n-nonoxy, n-decoxy, n-undecoxy, n-dodecoxy, etc.

Preferred amino groups are, for example, dimethylamino, methylamino, methylphenylamino, phenylamino, etc.

Aryl and heteroaryl groups can be monocyclic or polycyclic, i.e. they can contain one ring (such as, for example, phenyl) or two or more rings, which may also be fused (such as, for example, naphthyl) or covalently bonded (such as, for example, biphenyl), or contain a combination of fused and linked rings. Heteroaryl groups contain one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from O, N, S and Se.

Particular preference is given to mono-, bi- or tricyclic aryl groups having 6 to 25 C atoms and mono-, bi- or tricyclic heteroaryl groups having 2 to 25 C atoms, which optionally contain fused rings and are optionally substituted. Preference is furthermore given to 5-, 6- or 7-membered aryl and heteroaryl groups, in which, in addition, one or more CH groups may be replaced by N, S or O in such a way that O atoms and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another.

Preferred aryl groups are, for example, phenyl, biphenyl, terphenyl, 1,1′:3′,1″-terphenyl-2′-yl, naphthyl, anthracene, binaphthyl, phenanthrene, pyrene, dihydropyrene, chrysene, perylene, tetracene, pentacene, benzopyrene, fluorene, indene, indenofluorene, spirobifluorene, etc.

Preferred heteroaryl groups are, for example, 5-membered rings, such as pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, tetrazole, furan, thiophene, selenophene, oxazole, isoxazole, 1,2-thiazole, 1,3-thiazole, 1,2,3-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,5-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,5-thiadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 6-membered rings, such as pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, 1,3,5-triazine, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,2,3-triazine, 1,2,4,5-tetrazine, 1,2,3,4-tetrazine, 1,2,3,5-tetrazine, or condensed groups, such as indole, isoindole, indolizine, indazole, benzimidazole, benzotriazole, purine, naphthimidazole, phenanthrimidazole, pyridimidazole, pyrazinimidazole, quinoxalinimidazole, benzoxazole, naphthoxazole, anthroxazole, phenanthroxazole, isoxazole, benzothiazole, benzofuran, isobenzofuran, dibenzofuran, quinoline, isoquinoline, pteridine, benzo-5,6-quinoline, benzo-6,7-quinoline, benzo-7,8-quinoline, benzoisoquinoline, acridine, phenothiazine, phenoxazine, benzopyridazine, benzopyrimidine, quinoxaline, phenazine, naphthyridine, azacarbazole, benzocarboline, phenanthridine, phenanthroline, thieno[2,3b]thiophene, thieno[3,2b]thiophene, dithienothiophene, isobenzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, benzothiadiazothiophene, or combinations of these groups. The heteroaryl groups may also be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, fluorine, fluoroalkyl or further aryl or heteroaryl groups.

The (non-aromatic) alicyclic and heterocyclic groups encompass both saturated rings, i.e. those containing exclusively single bonds, and also partially unsaturated rings, i.e. those which may also contain multiple bonds. Heterocyclic rings contain one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from Si, O, N, S and Se.

The (non-aromatic) alicyclic and heterocyclic groups can be monocyclic, i.e. contain only one ring (such as, for example, cyclohexane), or polycyclic, i.e. contain a plurality of rings (such as, for example, decahydronaphthalene or bicyclooctane). Particular preference is given to saturated groups. Preference is furthermore given to mono-, bi- or tricyclic groups having 3 to 25 C atoms, which optionally contain fused rings and are optionally substituted. Preference is furthermore given to 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-membered carbocyclic groups, in which, in addition, one or more C atoms may be replaced by Si and/or one or more CH groups may be replaced by N and/or one or more non-adjacent CH₂ groups may be replaced by —O— and/or —S—.

Preferred alicyclic and heterocyclic groups are, for example, 5-membered groups, such as cyclopentane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiofuran, pyrrolidine, 6-membered groups, such as cyclohexane, silinane, cyclohexene, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothiopyran, 1,3-dioxane, 1,3-dithiane, piperidine, 7-membered groups, such as cycloheptane, and fused groups, such as tetrahydronaphthalene, decahydronaphthalene, indane, bicyclo[1.1.1]-pentane-1,3-diyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diyl, spiro[3.3]heptane-2,6-diyl, octahydro-4,7-methanoindane-2,5-diyl.

Preferred substituents are, for example, solubility-promoting groups, such as alkyl or alkoxy, electron-withdrawing groups, such as fluorine, nitro or nitrile, or substituents for increasing the glass transition temperature (Tg) in the polymer, in particular bulky groups, such as, for example, t-butyl or optionally substituted aryl groups.

Preferred substituents, also referred to as “L” above and below, are, for example, F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —NCO, —NCS, —OCN, —SCN, —C(═O)N(R^(x))₂, —C(═O)Y¹, —C(═O)R^(x), —N(R^(x))₂, in which R^(x) has the meaning indicated above, and Y¹ denotes halogen, optionally substituted silyl or aryl having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 20, C atoms, and straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 25 C atoms, in which one or more H atoms may optionally be replaced by F or Cl.

“Substituted silyl or aryl” preferably means substituted by halogen, —CN, R⁰, —OR⁰, —CO—R⁰, —CO—O—R⁰, —O—CO—R⁰ or —O—CO—O—R⁰, in which R⁰ has the meaning indicated above.

Particularly preferred substituents L are, for example, F, Cl, CN, NO₂, CH₃, C₂H₅, OCH₃, OC₂H₅, COCH₃, COC₂H₅, COOCH₃, COOC₂H₅, CF₃, OCF₃, OCHF₂, OC₂F₅, furthermore phenyl.

is preferably

in which L has one of the meanings indicated above.

The polymerisable group P is a group which is suitable for a polymerisation reaction, such as, for example, free-radical or ionic chain polymerisation, polyaddition or polycondensation, or for a polymer-analogous reaction, for example addition or condensation onto a main polymer chain. Particular preference is given to groups for chain polymerisation, in particular those containing a C═C double bond or —C≡C— triple bond, and groups which are suitable for polymerisation with ring opening, such as, for example, oxetane or epoxide groups.

Preferred groups P are selected from CH₂═CW¹—OCO—, CH₂═CW¹—CO—,

CH₂═CW²—(O)_(k3)—, CW¹═CH—CO—(O)_(k3)—, CW¹═CH—CO—NH—, CH₂═CW¹—CO—NH—, CH₃—CH═CH—O—, (CH₂═CH)₂CH—OCO—, (CH₂═CH—CH₂)₂CH—OCO—, (CH₂═CH)₂CH—O—, (CH₂═CH—CH₂)₂N—, (CH₂═CH—CH₂)₂N—CO—, HO—CW²W³—, HS—CW²W³—, HW²N—, HO—CW²W³—NH—, CH₂═CW¹—CO—NH—, CH₂═CH—(COO)_(k1)-Phe-(O)_(k2)—, CH₂═CH—(CO)_(k1)-Phe-(O)_(k2)—, Phe-CH═CH—, HOOC—, OCN— and W⁴W⁵W⁶Si—, in which W¹ denotes H, F, Cl, CN, CF₃, phenyl or alkyl having 1 to 5 C atoms, in particular H, F, C₁ or CH₃, W² and W³ each, independently of one another, denote H or alkyl having 1 to 5 C atoms, in particular H, methyl, ethyl or n-propyl, W⁴, W⁵ and W⁶ each, independently of one another, denote Cl, oxaalkyl or oxacarbonylalkyl having 1 to 5 C atoms, W⁷ and W⁸ each, independently of one another, denote H, Cl or alkyl having 1 to 5 C atoms, Phe denotes 1,4-phenylene, which is optionally substituted by one or more radicals L as defined above which are different from P-Sp-, k₁, k₂ and k₃ each, independently of one another, denote 0 or 1, k₃ preferably denotes 1.

Particularly preferred groups P are CH₂═CW¹—COO—, in particular CH₂═CH—COO—, CH₂═C(CH₃)—COO— and CH₂═CF—COO—, furthermore CH₂═CH—O—, (CH₂═CH)₂CH—OCO—, (CH₂═CH)₂CH—O—,

Very particularly preferred groups P are vinyloxy, acrylate, methacrylate, fluoroacrylate, chloroacrylate, oxetane and epoxide, in particular acrylate and methacrylate.

Preferred spacer groups Sp are selected from the formula Sp′-X′, so that the radical P-Sp- corresponds to the formula P-Sp′-X′—, where

-   Sp′ denotes alkylene having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, C atoms,     which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by F, Cl, Br, I or CN     and in which, in addition, one or more non-adjacent CH₂ groups may     each be replaced, independently of one another, by —O—, —S—, —NH—,     —NR⁰—, —SiR⁰⁰R⁰⁰⁰—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—,     —NR⁰⁰—CO—O—, —O—CO—NR⁰⁰—, —NR⁰⁰—CO—NR⁰⁰—, —CH═CH— or —C≡C— in such a     way that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another, -   X′ denotes —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—COO—, —CO—NR⁰⁰—,     —NR⁰⁰—CO—, —NR⁰⁰—CO—NR⁰⁰—, —OCH₂—, —CH₂O—, —SCH₂—, —CH₂S—, —CF₂O—,     —OCF₂—, —CF₂S—, —SCF₂—, —CF₂CH₂—, —CH₂CF₂—, —CF₂CF₂—, —CH═N—,     —N═CH—, —N═N—, —CH═CR⁰—, —CY²═CY³—, —C≡C—, —CH═CH—COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—     or a single bond, -   R⁰⁰ and R⁰⁰⁰ each, independently of one another, denote H or alkyl     having 1 to 12 C atoms, and -   Y² and Y³ each, independently of one another, denote H, F, Cl or CN. -   X′ is preferably —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—COO—, —CO—NR⁰—,     —NR⁰—CO—, —NR⁰—CO—NR⁰— or a single bond.

Typical spacer groups Sp′ are, for example, —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CH₂CH₂O)_(q1)—CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—S—CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—NH—CH₂CH₂— or —(SiR⁰⁰R⁰⁰⁰—O)_(p1)—, in which p1 is an integer from 1 to 12, q1 is an integer from 1 to 3, and R⁰⁰ and R⁰⁰⁰ have the meanings indicated above.

Particularly preferred groups —X′-Sp′- are —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —O—(CH₂)_(p1)—, —OCO—(CH₂)_(p1)—, —OCOO—(CH₂)_(p1)—.

Particularly preferred groups Sp′ are, for example, in each case straight-chain ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, nonylene, decylene, undecylene, dodecylene, octadecylene, ethyleneoxyethylene, methyleneoxybutylene, ethylenethioethylene, ethylene-N-methyliminoethylene, 1-methylalkylene, ethenylene, propenylene and butenylene.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, P-Sp- denotes a radical containing two or more polymerisable groups (multifunctional polymerisable radicals). Suitable radicals of this type and polymerisable compounds containing them and the preparation thereof are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,200 B1 or US 2006/0172090 A1. Particular preference is given to multifunctional polymerisable radicals P-Sp- selected from the following formulae: —X-alkyl-CHP¹—CH₂—CH₂P²  M*a —X-alkyl-C(CH₂P¹)(CH₂P²)—CH₂P³  M*b —X-alkyl-CHP¹CHP²—CH₂P³  M*c —X-alkyl-C(CH₂P¹)(CH₂P²)—C_(aa)H_(2aa+1)  M*d —X-alkyl-CHP¹—CH₂P²  M*e —X-alkyl-CHP¹P²  M*f —X-alkyl-CP¹P²—C_(aa)H_(2aa+1)  M*g —X-alkyl-C(CH₂P¹)(CH₂P²)—CH₂OCH₂—C(CH₂P³)(CH₂P⁴)CH₂P⁵  M*h —X-alkyl-CH((CH₂)_(aa)P¹)((CH₂)_(bb)P²)  M*i —X-alkyl-CHP¹CHP²—C_(aa)H_(2aa+1)  M*k —X′-alkyl-C(CH₃)(CH₂P¹)(CH₂P²)  M*m in which

-   alkyl denotes a single bond or straight-chain or branched alkylene     having 1 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more non-adjacent CH₂ groups     may each be replaced, independently of one another, by     —C(R⁰⁰)═C(R⁰⁰⁰)—, —C≡C—, —N(R⁰⁰)—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—,     —O—CO—O— in such a way that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly     to one another and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be     replaced by F, Cl or CN, where R⁰⁰ and R⁰⁰⁰ have the meanings     indicated above, -   aa and bb each, independently of one another, denote 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,     5 or 6, -   X has one of the meanings indicated for X′, and -   P¹⁻⁵ each, independently of one another, have one of the meanings     indicated for P.

The polymerisable compounds and RMs can be prepared analogously to processes known to the person skilled in the art and described in standard works of organic chemistry, such as, for example, in Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart. Further synthetic methods are given in the documents cited above and below. In the simplest case, the synthesis of such RMs is carried out, for example, by esterification or etherification of 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene or 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl using corresponding acids, acid derivatives or halogenated compounds containing a group P, such as, for example, (meth)acryloyl chloride or (meth)acrylic acid, in the presence of a dehydrating reagent, such as, for example, DCC (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide).

The LC mixtures and LC media according to the invention are in principle suitable for any type of PS or PSA display, in particular those based on LC media having negative dielectric anisotropy, particularly preferably for PSA-VA, PSA-IPS or PS-FFS displays. However, the person skilled in the art will also be able, without inventive step, to employ suitable LC mixtures and LC media according to the invention in other displays of the PS or PSA type which differ from the above-mentioned displays, for example, through their basic structure or through the nature, arrangement or structure of the individual components used, such as, for example, the substrates, alignment layers, electrodes, addressing elements, backlighting, polarisers, coloured filters, compensation films optionally present, etc.

Very particularly suitable polymerisable compounds are listed in Table D.

If the liquid-crystalline media according to the invention comprise at least one polymerisable compound, it is present in the medium in amounts of 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 4.0% by weight, particularly preferably 0.2 to 2.0% by weight.

The mixtures according to the invention may furthermore comprise conventional additives, such as, for example, stabilisers, antioxidants, UV absorbers, nanoparticles, microparticles, etc.

The structure of the liquid-crystal displays according to the invention corresponds to the usual geometry, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 240 379.

The following examples are intended to explain the invention without limiting it. Above and below, percent data denote percent by weight; all temperatures are indicated in degrees Celsius.

Throughout the patent application, 1,4-cyclohexylene rings and 1,4-phenylene rings are depicted as follows:

Besides the compounds of the formulae IIA and/or IIB and/or IIC, one or more compounds of the formula I, the mixtures according to the invention preferably comprise one or more of the compounds from Table A indicated below.

TABLE A The following abbreviations are used: (n, m, m′, z: each, independently of one another, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; (O)C_(m)H_(2m+1) means OC_(m)H_(2m+1) or C_(m)H_(2m+1))

The liquid-crystal mixtures which can be used in accordance with the invention are prepared in a manner which is conventional per se. In general, the desired amount of the components used in lesser amount is dissolved in the components making up the principal constituent, advantageously at elevated temperature. It is also possible to mix solutions of the components in an organic solvent, for example in acetone, chloroform or methanol, and to remove the solvent again, for example by distillation, after thorough mixing.

By means of suitable additives, the liquid-crystal phases according to the invention can be modified in such a way that they can be employed in any type of, for example, ECB, VAN, IPS, GH or ASM-VA LCD display that has been disclosed to date.

The dielectrics may also comprise further additives known to the person skilled in the art and described in the literature, such as, for example, UV absorbers, antioxidants, nanoparticles and free-radical scavengers. For example, 0-15% of pleochroic dyes, stabilisers or chiral dopants may be added. Suitable stabilisers for the mixtures according to the invention are, in particular, those listed in Table B.

For example, 0-15% of pleochroic dyes may be added, furthermore conductive salts, preferably ethyldimethyldodecylammonium 4-hexoxybenzoate, tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylboranate or complex salts of crown ethers (cf., for example, Haller et al., Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. Volume 24, pages 249-258 (1973)), may be added in order to improve the conductivity or substances may be added in order to modify the dielectric anisotropy, the viscosity and/or the alignment of the nematic phases. Substances of this type are described, for example, in DE-A 22 09 127, 22 40 864, 23 21 632, 23 38 281, 24 50 088, 26 37 430 and 28 53 728.

Table B shows possible dopants which can be added to the mixtures according to the invention. If the mixtures comprise a dopant, it is employed in amounts of 0.01-4% by weight, preferably 0.1-1.0% by weight.

TABLE B

Stabilisers which can be added, for example, to the mixtures according to the invention in amounts of up to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of the mixture, preferably 0.01 to 6% by weight, in particular 0.1 to 3% by weight, are shown below in Table C. Preferred stabilisers are, in particular, BHT derivatives, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-alkylphenols, and Tinuvin 770.

TABLE C

(n = 1-12)

Suitable reactive mesogens (polymerisable compounds) for use in the mixtures according to the invention, preferably in PSA and PS-VA applications are shown in Table D below:

TABLE D Table D shows illustrative compounds which can preferably be used as reactive mesogenic compounds (polymerisable compounds) in the media according to the present invention.

RM-1

RM-2

RM-3

RM-4

RM-5

RM-6

RM-7

RM-8

RM-9

RM-10

RM-11

RM-12

RM-13

RM-14

RM-15

RM-16

RM-17

RM-18

RM-19

RM-20

RM-21

RM-22

RM-23

RM-24

RM-25

RM-26

RM-27

RM-28

RM-29

RM-30

RM-31

RM-32

RM-33

RM-34

RM-35

RM-36

RM-37

RM-38

RM-39

RM-40

RM-41

RM-42

RM-43

RM-44

RM-45

RM-46

RM-47

RM-48

RM-49

RM-50

RM-51

RM-52

RM-53

RM-54

RM-55

RM-56

RM-57

RM-58

RM-59

RM-60

RM-61

RM-62

RM-63

RM-64

RM-65

RM-66

RM-67

RM-68

RM-69

RM-70

RM-71

RM-72

RM-73

RM-74

WORKING EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to explain the invention without restricting it. In the examples, m.p. denotes the melting point and C denotes the clearing point of a liquid-crystalline substance in degrees Celsius; boiling points are denoted by b.p. Furthermore:

C denotes crystalline solid state, S denotes smectic phase (the index denotes the phase type), N denotes nematic state, Ch denotes cholesteric phase, I denotes isotropic phase, T_(g) denotes glass transition temperature. The number between two symbols indicates the conversion temperature in degrees Celsius.

The host mixture used for determination of the optical anisotropy Δn of the compounds of the formula I is the commercial mixture ZLI-4792 (Merck KGaA). The dielectric anisotropy Δ∈ is determined using commercial mixture ZLI-2857. The physical data of the compound to be investigated are obtained from the change in the dielectric constants of the host mixture after addition of the compound to be investigated and extrapolation to 100% of the compound employed. In general, 10% of the compound to be investigated are dissolved in the host mixture, depending on the solubility.

Unless indicated otherwise, parts or percent data denote parts by weight or percent by weight.

Conventional work-up means: water is added, the mixture is extracted with methylene chloride, the phases are separated, the organic phase is dried and evaporated, and the product is purified by crystallisation and/or chromatography.

Example 1

Step 1:

63.3 g of 1 are initially introduced in 1.0 liter of acetonitrile, and 254.7 g of Selectfluor and a further 2 liters of acetonitrile are added. The cloudy reaction solution warms to 35° C. over the course of about 1 hour. The pale yellow-green, cloudy solution is stirred overnight at room temperature. Conventional work-up leaves 153 g of brownish-green crystals. After recrystallisation from ethanol, the crystals 2 are filtered off with suction at 10° C.

Step 2:

284.8 g of 2 are initially introduced in 1270 ml of propanol, 130 ml of water and 600 ml of THF, and 24.8 g of finely ground sodium borohydride are then introduced in portions with slight cooling at 25 to max. 35° C. The colour changes from yellow via pale brown to orange. The mixture is stirred for a further 3 h, during which the temperature remains constant at about 29-30° C. When the reaction has subsided, the solid is filtered off, the mother liquor is evaporated, the residue is stirred with 1200 ml of water and 1200 ml of methyl tert-butyl ether and acidified, and the organic phase is separated off, dried and evaporated in a rotary evaporator. The residue is mixed with 1200 ml of triethylamine and stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture is evaporated in a rotary evaporator, the residue is taken up in 500 ml of dichloromethane, and the solution is washed by shaking with dilute HCl. Removal of the solvent gives brown crystals 3.

Step 3:

7.9 g of 3 are suspended in 100 ml of ethyl methyl ketone with 4.5 g of bromopropane and 6.3 g of potassium carbonate, and the suspension is boiled under reflux overnight, giving brownish crystals 4.

Step 4:

9.5 g of 4 are initially introduced in 180 ml of THF, the mixture is cooled to −70° C., and 26.1 ml of 1.6 M BuLi in hexane are added dropwise at this temperature. After the mixture has been left to stir for 30 min, 4.7 ml of trimethyl borate are added dropwise, likewise at −70° C. The mixture is allowed to warm to −10° C., and a mixture of 7.4 ml of water and 4.9 ml of glacial acetic acid is added. The mixture is then warmed to about 30° C., and 12.1 ml of hydrogen peroxide (30%) are added dropwise. The temperature is 30-35° C. When the dropwise addition is complete, the temperature rises to 50° C. The mixture is stirred for a further hour at 45-50° C. and overnight at room temperature. Water is added to the batch, and solid ammonium iron(II) sulfate is added until an exothermic reaction is no longer evident. The product is recrystallised from toluene, and the crystals 5 are filtered off with suction at about 0° C.

Step 5:

3.7 g of 5 are suspended in 50 ml of ethyl methyl ketone with 1.6 g of bromopropane and 2.3 g of potassium carbonate, and the suspension is boiled under reflux overnight. Work-up gives brownish crystals 6.

C 31 l; Δn=0.0989; Δs=−13.1; γ₁=137

The following compounds of the formula

are prepared analogously:

R¹ R¹* L¹ L² L³ C₂H₅O OC₂H₅ F F F C 89 I; Δn = 0.1254; Δε = −13.2; γ₁ = 115 C₂H₅O OC₃H₇ F F F C 53 I; Δn = 0.1079; Δε = −12.4; γ₁ = 135 C₂H₅O OC₄H₉ F F F C₂H₅O OC₅H₁₁ F F F C₂H₅O OC₆H₁₃ F F F C₃H₇O OC₂H₅ F F F C 64 I; Δn = 0.1171; Δε = −13.8; γ₁ = 128 C₃H₇O OC₃H₇ F F F C₃H₇O OC₄H₉ F F F C₃H₇O OC₅H₁₁ F F F C₃H₇O OC₆H₁₃ F F F C₄H₉O OC₂H₅ F F F C₄H₉O OC₃H₇ F F F C₄H₉O OC₄H₉ F F F C₄H₉O OC₅H₁₁ F F F C₄H₉O OC₆H₁₃ F F F C₅H₁₁O OC₂H₅ F F F C₅H₁₁O OC₃H₇ F F F C₅H₁₁O OC₄H₉ F F F C₅H₁₁O OC₅H₁₁ F F F C₅H₁₁O OC₆H₁₃ F F F C₅H₁₁O OC₆H₁₃ F F F C₆H₁₃O OC₂H₅ F F F C₆H₁₃O OC₃H₇ F F F C₆H₁₃O OC₄H₉ F F F C₆H₁₃O OC₅H₁₁ F F F C₆H₁₃O OC₆H₁₃ F F F

Above and below,

-   V₀ denotes the threshold voltage, capacitive [V] at 20° C. -   Δn denotes the optical anisotropy measured at 20° C. and 589 nm -   Δ∈ denotes the dielectric anisotropy at 20° C. and 1 kHz -   cl.p. denotes the clearing point [° C.] -   K₁ denotes the elastic constant, “splay” deformation at 20° C. [pN] -   K₃ denotes the elastic constant, “bend” deformation at 20° C. [pN] -   γ₁ denotes the rotational viscosity measured at 20° C. [mPa·s],     determined by the rotation method in a magnetic field -   LTS denotes the low-temperature stability (nematic phase),     determined in test cells.

The display used for measurement of the threshold voltage has two plane-parallel outer plates at a separation of 20 μm and electrode layers with overlying alignment layers of SE-1211 (Nissan Chemicals) on the insides of the outer plates, which effect a homeotropic alignment of the liquid crystals.

All concentrations in this application relate to the corresponding mixture or mixture component, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. All physical properties are determined as described in “Merck Liquid Crystals, Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals”, status November 1997, Merck KGaA, Germany, and apply for a temperature of 20° C., unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

MIXTURE EXAMPLES Example M1

CY-3-O2 8.50% Clearing point [° C.]: 78.5 CCY-3-O2 5.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0961 CCY-4-O2 8.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −3.0 CPY-2-O2 7.00% ε_(∥) [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 3.6 CPY-3-O2 9.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 14.3 CCH-34 6.00% K₃/K₁ [20° C.]: 1.04 CCH-23 22.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 107 CCP-3-3 6.50% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.33 CCP-3-1 5.00% BCH-32 5.00% PCH-301 11.00%

7.00%

Example M2

CY-3-O2 16.00% Clearing point [° C.]: 84.0 CCY-3-O2 4.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0920 CCY-4-O2 6.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −2.5 CPY-2-O2 6.00% ε_(∥) [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 3.3 CPY-3-O2 7.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.4 CCH-34 6.00% K₃/K₁ [20° C.]: 1.03 CCH-23 22.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 108 CCP-3-3 8.00% CCP-3-1 9.00% BCH-32 5.00% PCH-301 4.00%

7.00%

Example M3

CY-3-O2 18.00% Clearing point [° C.]: 80 CCY-3-O2 4.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0920 CCY-4-O2 6.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −2.7 CPY-2-O2 6.00% ε_(∥) [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 3.4 CPY-3-O2 7.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 14.8 CCH-34 6.00% K₃/K₁ [20° C.]: 1.04 CCH-23 22.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 103 CCP-3-3 8.00% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.45 CCP-3-1 7.00% BCH-32 5.00% PCH-301 4.00%

7.00%

Example M4

CY-3-O2 18.00% Clearing point [° C.]: 79 CLY-2-O4 4.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0935 CLY-3-O2 4.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −2.7 CLY-3-O3 2.00% ε_(∥) [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 3.4 CPY-2-O2 6.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 14.5 CPY-3O2 6.00% K₃/K₁ [20° C.]: 1.01 CCH-34 6.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 100 CCH-23 22.00% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.44 CCP-3-3 8.00% CCP-3-1 8.00% BCH-32 5.00% PCH-301 4.00%

7.00%

Example M5

CY-3-O2 18.00% Clearing point [° C.]: 79.5 CCY-3-O2 4.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0935 CCY-4-O2 6.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −2.7 CPY-2-O2 6.00% ε_(∥) [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 3.5 CPY-3-O2 7.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.5 CC-3-V 34.00% K₃/K₁ [20° C.]: 1.15 CCP-3-3 8.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 87 CCP-3-1 4.00% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.54 BCH-32 6.00%

7.00%

Example M6

CY-3-O2 16.50% Clearing point [° C.]: 80 CCY-3-O2 6.50% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0930 CCY-4-O2 7.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −2.9 CPY-2-O2 5.00% ε_(∥) [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 3.5 CPY-3-O2 8.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.0 CCH-34 5.00% K₃/K₁ [20° C.]: 1.07 CCH-23 22.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 107 CCP-3-3 7.00% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.39 CCP-3-1 5.00% BCH-32 5.00% PCH-301 6.00%

7.00%

Example M7

For the preparation of a PS-VA mixture, 99.8% of the mixture according to Example M6 are mixed with 0.2% of the polymerisable compound of the formula

The PS-VA mixture is introduced into a cell having homeotropic alignment After application of a voltage of 24 V, the cell is irradiated with UV light with a power of 100 mW/cm².

Example M8

CCY-3-O2 4.00% Clearing point [° C.]: 86.0 CCY-4-O2 6.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0915 CPY-2-O2 8.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −1.8 CPY-3-O2 5.00% K₁ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.2 CC-3-V 44.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.3 CCP-3-3 7.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 74 CCP-3-1 4.00% γ₁/K₃₃: 4.8 BCH-32 6.00% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.83

16.00%

Example M9

CCY-3-O2 3.00% Clearing point [° C.]: 85.9 CCY-4-O2 5.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0908 CPY-2-O2 6.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −1.8 CPY-3-O2 5.00% K₁ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.0 CC-3-V 47.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.3 CCP-3-3 8.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 72 CCP-3-1 4.00% γ₁/K₃₃: 4.7 CPYP-3-2 5.00% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.86

17.00%

Example M10

CY-3-O4 14.00% Clearing point [° C.]: 85.0 CY-5-O2 6.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.0951 CCY-3-O2 5.00% Δε [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −2.4 CCY-3-O3 5.00% K₁ [pN, 20° C.]: 16.3 CCY-4-O2 5.00% K₃ [pN, 20° C.]: 15.6 PYP-2-3 6.00% γ₁ [mPa · s, 20° C.]: 117 PYP-2-4 5.00% γ₁/K₃₃: 7.5 CC-3-V1 11.00% V₀ [20° C., V]: 2.60 CCP-3-1 8.00% CCP-3-3 8.00% CCH-34 9.00% CCH-35 3.00% CCH-25 9.00%

6.00% 

The invention claimed is:
 1. Liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterised in that it comprises a) at least one compound of the formula I,

in which R¹ and R¹* each, independently of one another, denote a straight chain alkyl or straight chain alkoxy radical having 1 to 15 C atoms, where, in addition, one or more CH₂ groups in these radicals may each be replaced, independently of one another, by —C≡C—, —CF₂O—, —CH═CH—,

—O—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen, and L¹, L² and L³ each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF₃, OCF₃ or CHF₂ and b) one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and IIC,

in which R^(2A), R^(2B) and R^(2C) each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF₃ or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH₂ groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,

—C≡C—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, L¹⁻⁴ each, independently of one another, denote F or Cl, Z² and Z^(2′) each, independently of one another, denote a single bond, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —CH₂O—, —OCH₂—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C₂F₄—, —CF═CF—, —CH═CHCH₂O—, p denotes 1 or 2, q denotes 0 or 1, and v denotes 1 to
 6. 2. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formula III,

in which R³¹ and R³² each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxy radical having up to 12 C atoms, and

denotes

Z³ denotes a single bond, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —CH₂O—, —OCH₂—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C₂F₄—, —C₄H₉—, —CF═CF—.
 3. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises at least one compound of the formulae I-1 to I-13,

in which alkyl and alkyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms, alkenyl and alkenyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkenyl radical having 2-6 C atoms, alkoxy and alkoxy* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkoxy radical having 1-6 C atoms, and L¹ and L² each, independently of one another, denote F or Cl.
 4. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae L-1 to L-11,

in which R, R¹ and R² each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF₃ or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH₂ groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,

—C≡C—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and alkyl denotes an alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms, and s denotes 1 or
 2. 5. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more terphenyls of the formulae T-1 to T-21,

in which R denotes a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1-7 C atoms, and m denotes 1-6.
 6. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae O-1 to O-16,

in which R¹ and R² each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF₃ or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH₂ groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,

—C≡C—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another.
 7. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more indane compounds of the formula In,

in which R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ denote a straight-chain alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkenyl radical having 1-5 C atoms, R¹² and R¹³ additionally also denote halogen,

denotes

i denotes 0, 1 or
 2. 8. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the proportion of compounds of the formula I in the mixture as a whole is ≧1% by weight.
 9. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises one or more polymerisable compounds.
 10. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the concentration of the polymerisable compound(s), based on the medium, is 0.01-5% by weight.
 11. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the polymerisable compound(s) is (are) selected from compounds of the formula I* R^(a)-A¹-(Z¹-A²)_(m)-R^(b)  I* in which the individual radicals have the following meanings: R^(a) and R^(b) each, independently of one another, denote P, P-Sp-, H, halogen, SF₅, NO₂, a carbon group or a hydrocarbon group, where at least one of the radicals R^(a) and R^(b) denotes or contains a group P or P-Sp-, P on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes a polymerisable group, Sp on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes a spacer group or a single bond, A¹ and A² each, independently of one another, denote an aromatic, heteroaromatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic group, preferably having 4 to 25 ring atoms, which may also contain fused rings, and which may also be mono- or polysubstituted by L, L denotes P-Sp-, H, OH, CH₂OH, halogen, SF₅, NO₂, a carbon group or a hydrocarbon group, Z¹ on each occurrence, identically or differently, denotes —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, —OCO—, —O—CO—O—, —OCH₂—, —CH₂O—, —SCH₂—, —CH₂S—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —CF₂S—, —SCF₂—, —(CH₂)_(n1)—, —CF₂CH₂—, —CH₂CF₂—, —(CF₂)_(n1)—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —C≡C—, —CH═CH—COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—, CR⁰R⁰⁰ or a single bond, R⁰ and R⁰⁰ each, independently of one another, denote H or alkyl having 1 to 12 C atoms, m denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, n1 denotes 1, 2, 3 or
 4. 12. Process for the preparation of a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one compound of the formula I is mixed with at least one further liquid-crystalline compound, and one or more additives are optionally added.
 13. Process according to claim 12, characterised in that at least one compound of the formula I is mixed with at least one further mesogenic compound and with at least one polymerisable compound, and one or more additives are optionally added.
 14. A method which comprises incorporating a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1 in an electro-optical display and operating said display.
 15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the display is a VA, PSA, PS-VA, PA-VA, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS, PS-FFS or PALC displays.
 16. Electro-optical display having active-matrix addressing, characterised in that it contains, as dielectric, a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim
 1. 17. Electro-optical display according to claim 16, characterised in that it is a VA, PSA, PS-VA, PA-VA, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS, PS-FFS or PALC display. 